21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York Civil Rights Lawyer Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., alleges in a $25 Mil. Notice of Claim filing that Police Officer Clinton H. Wike, Jr., was improperly removed from an airline and ‘falsely arrested’ for being ‘too drunk’ due to racial animus

New York, September 21, 2016 – Wike, is an African-American male appointed to the position of police officer, City of New York (NYPD). He is a Rhythm and Blues (R & B) recording artist who has collaborated on projects with well-known talents such as Stevie Wonder, Johnny Gill, Terrence Trent Darby and Mary J. Blige. Over the years, in the aggregate, he has sold more than four (4) million records.

According to the claim, Wike suffers from chronic periods of Vertigo. Vertigo is a sensation of spinning. People with Vertigo typically describe it as feeling like they are: spinning, tilting, swaying, unbalanced, pulled to one direction. Other symptoms that may accompany Vertigo include: feeling nauseated, abnormal or jerking eye movements (nystagmus), headache, sweating, ringing in the ears or hearing loss. Vertigo symptoms can last a few minutes to a few hours or more and may come and go.

Wike claims on March 13, 2015, he along with band mate of ‘Intro’ Jeffrey Sanders, Mr. Cheeks of the ‘Lost Boyz’ and Dwayne Moore traveled via GoJet Airlines dba Delta Connection to Toronto, Canada. Wike, Sanders and Cheeks were scheduled to perform for compensation in the ‘I Love the 90s Concert’ at the Sound Academy. The weekend was uneventful.

On March 15, 2015, Wike alleges he along with band mate of Intro Jeffrey Sanders, Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz and Dwayne Moore traveled to Pearson International Airport (PIA) to board a flight via GoJet Airlines dba Delta Connection to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Upon arrival at PIA, they were informed the outbound flight to JFK was delayed. When the flight finally arrived, they checked in at the Gate and started walking down the stairs onto the Ramp Area to board the aircraft. Wike, while moving with his rolling luggage and a knapsack on his back, feeling ‘dizzy’ stumbled and fell. Wike claims he then helped himself up continued walking to the aircraft, up the stairs, stowed away his luggage and sat in his assigned seat next to his travel party.

A short time later, a Caucasian female employee assigned to the Gate Area wearing a Delta uniform approached and asked Wike to leave the plane because he might be ‘too drunk’ to fly, according to the claim. Although perplexed, Wike complied with her request. Unbeknownst to her, Wike was experiencing a period of Vertigo. The Gate Agent never offered Wike medical attention. Wike alleges in the claim, he believes the Gate Attendant simply racially profiled he and his travel party.

Shortly thereafter, two (2) Caucasian male police constables from the Peel Regional Police approached Wike. After the police constables had a short conversation with the Gate Attendant, the constables told Wike he had to take another flight. Unbeknownst to them, Wike was experiencing a period of Vertigo. Wike alleges in the claim, the police constables never offered him medical attention.

Meanwhile, Wike claims the police constables drove him in their vehicle to the Sheraton Hotel. According to Wike, he was not told he was under arrest nor was he placed into handcuffs. After objecting to the cost, the police constables drove Wike to their barracks. Upon arrival at the barracks, the police constables told Wike he had to walk in with handcuffs. In the claim, Wike alleges Police Constable Andrew Grove ‘falsely’ accused him of being ‘drunk.’ After several hours, Wike was released with a summons. The next day, Wike boarded another GoJet Airlines dba Delta Connection flight to JFK.

Upon arrival on March 16, 2015, after a Department Interview, Wike was placed on ‘Restricted Duty’ and referred to the Medical Division for an evaluation of his ‘alcohol usage.’ Wike claims he was ‘forced’ to attend ‘outpatient treatment.’ After being pressured, Wike paid the summons. Shortly thereafter, Wike received Department Charges and Specifications.

On September 8, 2016, Police Constable Grove recently traveled to appear as a witness against Wike in the NYPD Trial Room. Police Constable Grove ‘falsely’ testified about Wike’s behavior at PIA to support his baseless arrest. Wike claims, upon information and belief, the Peel Regional Police have a history of racially charged ‘false’ arrests of Black males. Meanwhile, Wike claims the Department never questioned his witnesses about the events leading up to this matter which completely contradict Police Constable Grove’s version.

Wike claims based upon the actions of Respondents THE CITY OF NEW YORK, its employees in collusion Delta Airlines, GoJet Airlines dba Delta Connection, Peel Regional Police with Police Officer Andrew Grove he sustained substantial damages.

“GoJet dba Delta Connection cannot refuse passage to an individual because of that person’s race… 49 U.S.C. 40127 (a). Similarly, 49 U.S.C. 41310 prohibits air carriers and foreign air carriers from engaging in unreasonable discrimination against individuals on flights between the U.S. and foreign points, 49 U.S.C. 41702. Here, Delta Connection violated these and other federal statutes using the he’s ‘too drunk’ allegation as a pretext to discriminate against Mr. Wike and his party, three (3) ‘Big Black Men.’ The true goal of the Gate Agent was to deny entry to the entire party but, that would have been too obvious. Unfortunately, the police constables exacerbated the matter further violating Mr. Wike’s rights ‘falsely’ arresting him for public intoxication without any ‘objective’ evidence just their subjective, biased point of view. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Gate Agent and the police constables, Mr. Wike is a chronic sufferer of vertigo and was experiencing one of his episodes at the time of the stumble and days afterwards. Mr. Wike was never offered any medical attention. These parties need retraining in particular interacting with African-Americans and other persons of color. Every behavior of African-Americans and other persons of color are not suspicious,” says Eric Sanders.

Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., filed the Notice of Claim with The City of New York, et al., on September 19, 2016.

About The Sanders Firm, P.C.

The Sanders Firm, P.C. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights. We are your voice for justice!

Contact

Eric Sanders, Esq.
President and Owner, The Sanders Firm, P.C.
Business Phone: 212-808-6515

Subscribe to Newsletter

Contact Us

The Sanders Firm, P.C. is located in New York, NY | Serving Clients throughout the five (5) boroughs of the City of New York: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island as well as Albany, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Schenectady, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties. The Sanders Firm, P.C., website in accordance with Part 1200 – Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1, constitutes “Attorney Advertising.” As such, the following statement is made in accordance with those rules: ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. “PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME.”